Editorial: Losses could have been worse

Glendale took it on the chin this week when governing bodies, combating these hard economic times, approved pared-down budgets that include layoffs and concessions.

Glendale Unified had to lay off 66 teachers as part of its new budget.

Employees at Glendale Community College may be asked to give up more of their incomes.

And the city adopted a budget tied to $3 million in employee union concessions that have yet to materialize — which portends more fiscal surgery in coming weeks.

But compared with some of our Southland neighbors, at least the pain hasn't come from massive amputations.

Take Maywood, which this week decided to lay off all municipal employees and outsource services to the neighboring city of Bell.

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Or Los Angeles Unified, which is expected to lay off more than 1,000 employees to help offset a projected $640-million deficit for the coming fiscal year.

Pasadena has had to cut about $8 million, leading to reduced fire station staffing, fewer hours at libraries, and other service cuts.

In Glendale, the public has been shielded from the brunt of cuts through creative changes to operations and consolidations.

Even in Glendale Unified, where actual layoffs were approved, board members said they plan to rehire as much staff as possible after deals are struck with the two main unions.

The harsh signs of our economic fragility remains: City Hall has fewer tax dollars, and educators have been forced to make tough decisions. But at least our officials have kept the systems intact, for now.